“We’ll never use those peppers again,”O’Connor admitted with a laugh. “It wasway too hot.”About three hours away from O’Connorand in the central part of the state, PaleFire Brewery has taken its own uniqueapproach, as well.

“I think the world was crying out for a
Russian literature-themed brewery,” Tim
Brady, the founder and general manager of
Pale Fire, joked.

He may have been sarcastic, but the
formula seems to be working. Its urban
space in Harrisonburg has become a
popular neighborhood hangout, with a
cozy couch, fireplace and walls lined with
books.

All of Pale Fire’s brews take names
related to music and/or literature. They
taste pretty great, too. In 2015, an industry
publication named Pale Fire one of the best
new breweries in the country. The company
has also won medals for two of its beers at
the World Beer Cup.

Pale Fire’s capacity is about 7,000
kegs per year, and the company employs
13. Even though it is one of the newer
breweries in the state, Pale Fire has
already made its mark on the scene
and is continuing to work on increasing
distribution.